What Does 'YN' And 'YNs' Mean On TikTok? The Viral Slang Terms And Memes Explained

Two slang terms called "YN" and "YNs" are mega-viral on TikTok at the moment. Memes and video skits about so-called "YNs" are making many laugh but making others confused.

The abbreviation in question is a piece of AAVE that's gone through the Black-to-Zoomer slang pipeline that so many terms of similar origin are experiencing (a slang gentrification, if you will). Regardless, people want to know what's up with this new term.

So, what do "YN" and "YNs" mean? Where did they come from, and how are they being used in memes? Let's explain.

What Does 'YN' And 'YNs' Mean?

"YN" is a slang abbreviation for "young nigga." "YNs" is the plural form, meaning "young niggas." On TikTok and in meme captions, it's commonly written in all lowercase like "yns."

Where Does 'YN' And 'YNs' Come From?

Usage of YN and YNs first surfaced en masse in early 2023, although the term has been used online since the 2000s.

It's not a very unique term. It's quite simple. People use the abbreviation online to skirt algorithms and moderation that would block what some platforms see as a controversial word. Internet language that serves this function is called algospeak. Also, "YNs" is inherently shorter to type than its meaning.

'YN' Usage In Memes

YNs have become a viral topic in memes because of the growing reputation of Zoomer and Gen Alpha men being crazier than previous generations. In video skits from Black creators, modern YNs are depicted in sheisties and skinny jeans, intimidating the Millennials and Gen X oldheads in their neighborhoods.

The stereotype mirrors the also recent slang term "crashout," which describes a young man prone to violence and outbursts. So, the "crashout YN" is often matched against simple "unc" in memes about the generational dynamic.

Yeah, calling someone a "crashout YN" is, well, for many people, perceivably cringe. The slang term's current overuse is to blame. Non-Black teen boys are the culprits, who've wrapped up "crashout" and "YN" into their daily slang overload routine, mixing it into sigma slang and phonk edits galore.

TikTokers like @kwameloll have already addressed this in viral videos. There's a current appropriation of AAVE that evolves these terms into hollow shells.

For the full history of YN and YNS, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.